Coaxial connector having improved locking mechanism

Abstract

A coaxial connector plug includes an inner insulating housing carrying a coaxial connector pin, where an outer grounding spring is positioned coaxially around the housing. The grounding spring is positioned within a sleeve member and a locking spring and outer sleeve are axially moveable between positions where locking arms of the locking spring are moveable to a position where a front edge of the locking arms is engaged with a corresponding surface of the sleeve member. The locking arms also include a locking projection which will reside in a peripheral groove of a mating jack connector when fully inserted thereto.

We claim: 
     
       1. A coaxial connector comprising an inner terminal and an outer conductor coaxially positioned relative to the inner terminal, an insulative housing disposed between the inner terminal and outer conductor, a locking element supported by the outer conductor including a stationary member and a movable member movable relative to the outer conductor and the stationary member, spring locking arms provided by the movable member engagable in a peripheral groove of a mating connector when the mating connector is mated with the coaxial connector to latch the connectors in a prelocking condition, and cam engaging surfaces on said spring locking arms and said stationary member engagable with one another when said movable member is moved toward said stationary member thereby locking said spring locking arms within the peripheral groove of the mating connector. 
     
     
       2. A coaxial connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stationary member is a sleeve member having slots through which said spring locking arms extend. 
     
     
       3. A coaxial connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movable member is an outer sleeve coupled with said spring locking arms. 
     
     
       4. A coaxial connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein said sleeve member includes an open forward ring for receiving the mating connector. 
     
     
       5. A coaxial connector as claimed in claim 4, wherein said open forward ring has one of said cam engaging surfaces in the form of a rearwardly facing cam surface. 
     
     
       6. A coaxial connector as claimed in claim 4, wherein said spring locking arms contain another of said cam engaging surfaces in the form of forwardly facing cam surfaces. 
     
     
       7. A coaxial connector comprising an inner terminal; and outer conductor coaxially positioned relative to the inner terminal; an insulative housing therebetween; and a locking element supported by said outer conductor for locking engagement with a mating connector where the locking element includes a locking spring moveable axially of said outer conductor and carrying spring locking arms which are adapted for engagement in a peripheral groove of the mating connector, the locking element further including a stopping sleeve having a front ring with a locking surface thereupon, where the locking spring has a first position with locking arms clear of the locking surface such that the arms may deflect during mating and demating with the mating connector and a second position where the locking arms cooperate with the locking surface to prevent deflection of the arm such that the arm remains engaged in the peripheral groove of the mating connector; the coaxial connector being characterized in that a pair of arcuate extension members extend from the front ring defining slots therebetween to form a stopping sleeve and the locking spring has a base from which the springs extend, the locking spring being fitted to the stopping sleeve with the spring arms disposed in the slots and extending toward the ring, the base includes an outer diameter extending outward beyond the arcuate sections with said stopping sleeve being fixed relative the outer conductor and an outer sleeve fitted over the arcuate sections and attached to the locking spring for manipulating the locking spring. 
     
     
       8. The coaxial connector of claim 7, further characterized in that the stopping sleeve is received in a press fit manner by a locking washer that is positioned against the outer conductor thereby captivating the locking spring. 
     
     
       9. The coaxial connector of claim 8, further characterized in that a crimp end member is provided and the locking washer and outer conductor are engaged therewith. 
     
     
       10. The coaxial connector of claim 9, further characterized in that the engagement is established by an interference fit therebetween. 
     
     
       11. The coaxial connector of claim 8, further characterized in that the inner terminal is retained within the insulative housing by way of an interference fit. 
     
     
       12. The coaxial connector of claim 8, wherein a crimp sleeve is provided for fitting about the crimp end member in order to retain a coaxial cable therewith such that an outer braid of the coaxial cable is electrically connected to the outer conductor.